PRESS RELEASE

18/01/2017

Vervaeke acquires Transport Group Van der Lee from The Netherlands

ZELLIK -Vervaeke, Belgian market leader in tank transportation for the chemical and petrochemical sector, has acquired Dutch counterpart Van der Lee. With a turnover of above 50 million euro, 400 employees and 6 locations, including Belgium and Germany, Van der Lee represents an important Logistics Service Provider in the field of Dangerous Goods transport by road. This acquisition enables Vervaeke to expand its coverage, not just in geographical terms but also a wider variety of services, making it one of the most important and potent tank transporting companies in Western Europe.

Combined, Vervaeke and Van der Lee represent a turnover of +110 million euro, a fleet of 700 HGV’s, more than 1000 tank trailers and a team of 900 employees. Both companies deliver demanding logistical services to the chemical and petrochemical industry. Organizations operating within this business demand the highest standards of health and safety, quality and customer services. A continued process of both technical innovation and professionally trained local staff secures and warrants these services.

The identical mission, vision and values so typical of both family businesses, the outstanding reputation and exceptional customer satisfaction were the key factors driving this strategic acquisition. The Customer will continue to be placed at the very center of the now combined business with each company maintaining its own signature.

Moreover, Vervaeke and Van der Lee now have complementary geographical coverage.By virtue of this collaboration, Vervaeke benefits of a network comprising twelve sites, strategically distributed along the chemical cluster of Europe (Ruhr area – Antwerp – Rotterdam). “Van der Lee is a successful organization which excels in Safety and Service”, explains Frédéric Derumeaux, CEO of Vervaeke. “The acquisition of Van der Lee represents a unique opportunity to further develop our activities in The Netherlands and Germany, and to offer more varied services to our customers. I do look forward to welcoming the professional team of Van der Lee into our Group. ”

At Van der Lee’s they are equally pleased with this development. “The merger of both family businesses reassures me as it creates the desired framework to continue and expand our International Logistics Services into the future”, says Frans van der Lee, managing director of Van der Lee Transport.

About Vervaeke:
After 80 years of existence, Vervaeke still is a family owned Group which has transitioned from being a traditional transport firm into a provider of complex integrated logistics services to the chemical and petrochemical industry. Vervaeke offers tank transport out of five sites: Zellik, Spiere, Seneffe, Luxemburg and France. The company currently employs 500 people. Vervaeke deploys a fleet of well over 400 HGV’s – all of them ADR certified– and 600 tanks of the most diversified type, enabling Vervaeke to handle almost any type of dangerous substance.